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Zimbabwean judge on the run
17/01/2006 07:59 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Zimbabwean police had launched a manhunt for High Court judge Benjamin Paradza who was convicted of corruption last week, that country's Herald newspaper reported on Tuesday.
Its website said indications were that the fugitive judge skipped the country to London via South Africa soon after he was convicted last week.
Police could not give details on this.
Paradza, who was convicted of corruption last Tuesday, was awaiting sentence when he jumped bail.
Police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena appealed to anyone with information about Paradza's whereabouts to come forward.
"We are currently looking for him and we have approached Interpol member countries to be on the lookout for him should he enter into any of the member countries," said Bvudzijena.
"Certainly, we would appreciate any information from members of the public about his whereabouts."
Justice Simpson Mutambanengwe, who presided over Paradza's trial, issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to avail himself to court for sentencing.
The judge ordered that the warrant of arrest be immediately faxed to all border posts and international airports in order to thwart his escape.
Paradza was convicted on two counts of corruption after he incited two fellow judges to release the passport of Russell Labuschagne, his business partner in a safari-hunting venture.
At the time Labuschagne was facing murder charges at the Bulawayo High Court.
Paradza, 49, had been out on bail, which was extended by Justice Mutambanengwe, pending sentence.
- SAPA
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Zimbabwe Special Report
